Paper Details

India, being the third-highest producer of electronic waste (e-waste) in the world, is experiencing an escalating crisis due to swift urbanization, rising electronic consumption, and inadequate waste management systems. The prevalence of the informal recycling sector, which handles over 85% of India's e-waste, intensifies environmental pollution and health risks due to hazardous dismantling and disposal methods. The circular economy (CE) model, which fosters resource efficiency, minimizes waste, and promotes closed-loop material systems, offers a sustainable approach to India's e-waste dilemma by improving product life cycles, optimizing recycling methods, and diminishing dependence on virgin raw materials. Nonetheless, despite the promise of CE-oriented strategies, their application is hindered by technological limitations, economic challenges, inadequate regulatory enforcement, and low consumer awareness. This research investigates how CE principles can revolutionize India's e-waste management framework by evaluating essential strategies such as eco-design, extended producer responsibility (EPR), refurbishment, incentives for formal recycling, urban mining, and the incorporation of the informal sector. The results reveal notable policy deficiencies, especially concerning the enforcement of E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, which, although requiring EPR compliance and organized disposal methods, suffer from weak implementation and oversight. Furthermore, the high costs related to formal recycling, insufficient infrastructure, and price fluctuations in the secondary materials marketplace create economic barriers that impede investment in sustainable e-waste processing. Moreover, consumer engagement is notably low, with research showing that a significant amount of e-waste is either kept indefinitely or sold to informal recyclers due to insufficient awareness and financial motivations. To assist India's shift towards a circular e-waste economy, this study suggests reinforcing EPR enforcement, broadening formal recycling infrastructure, offering financial incentives for sustainable product development, and rolling out comprehensive consumer education initiatives nationwide. Additionally, incorporating the informal sector into the formal economy through organized training, safety standards, and financial assistance can enhance collection efficiency and environmental sustainability. Upcoming research should concentrate on creating cost-effective recycling technologies, evaluating the economic feasibility of circular business frameworks, and assessing the social consequences of formalizing the informal e-waste sector. By adopting circular economy principles and enacting these strategic changes, India can reduce the environmental threats of e-waste, boost resource recovery, and align its e-waste management practices with global sustainability objectives.

Circular economy, E-waste, Recycle, Reuse